AAA’s eight-week Lucha Capital tournament culminated with its second season finale. Episode 8 featured 9 luchadores and 3 luchadoras vying for the honor to be crowned Lucha Capital champion.
36 luchadores were split into twelve teams of three. The matches were three-way dances with the winner earning points for their team. Only one luchador and one luchadora could be crowned Lucha Capital champ in the finale from the Pinche Gringo BBQ restaurant in Mexico City. The Lucha Capital preview will get you caught up on the participants and teams. Also, check out the recaps for episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4, episode 5, episode 6, and episode 7.
Episodes can be viewed on AAA’s Facebook page. The participants for the episode 8 finale (watch here) were:
¡SE LLEGÓ LA HORA!
— Lucha Libre AAA (@luchalibreaaa) December 5, 2019
Comenzamos con la GRAN FINAL de #LuchaCapital
EN VIVO Y EN EXCLUSIVA https://t.co/lT2sadtlJx pic.twitter.com/6kNN9Sih2l
- Men’s semifinal: Carta Brava Jr. vs Hijo del Vikingo vs Pagano vs Psycho Clown
- Men’s semifinal: Bengala vs Puma King
vs Flamita - Men’s semifinal: Willie Mack vs Taurus vs Rich Swann
- Women’s three-way final:
Faby ApacheKeyra vs Big Mami vs Lady Shani - Men’s three-way final
The regular crew of Vampiro and La Regia as hosts with Jose Manuel Guillen and Adrian Mendoza on Spanish commentary opened the show. Copetes Salazar and Piero El Internacional were the referees.
Carta Brava Jr. vs Hijo del Vikingo vs Pagano vs Psycho Clown
This four-way was luchadores voted in by the fans when their teams were eliminated. The pace was full steam ahead. Top move was a shooting star press to the floor from Hijo del Vikingo.
estrella fugaz! @vikingo_aaa #luchacapital pic.twitter.com/Yk8F5Mzs9f
— Roy (@narukiroy) December 6, 2019
For the finish, Psycho Clown was the base for a superplex train to Pagano and Carta Brava Jr. As soon as Brava hit the mat, Vikingo flew for a 450 splash to the center of the ring for the winning pin on Brava. Afterward, Psycho raised Vikingo’s hand to give his babyface endorsement to the crowd.
Hijo del Vikingo defeated Carta Brava Jr., Pagano, and Psycho Clown. Vikingo advances to the men’s final.
Bengala vs Puma King
Bengala, Puma King, and Flamita were one of top two teams to advance to the finale, but Flamita was not present for whatever reason. This cat fight was agile, energetic, and fierce. Puma King pulled out the win after a frontcracker, running double knees, then a sitdown powerbomb to win.
the coolest on fire! @PumaKingOficial #luchacapital pic.twitter.com/LW1GD1g6vF
— Roy (@narukiroy) December 6, 2019
Puma King defeated Bengala. Puma King advances to the men’s final.
Willie Mack vs Taurus vs Rich Swann
This group was the other top two team to advance to the finale. The fans loved Rich Swann’s dancing and party vibe. Swann and Willie Mack started as a team against Taurus, but that partnership disintegrated with Swann tried to sneak a pin early on Taurus. That led to a true three-for-all.
Top moves were a Phoenix Splash to the floor from Swann, a vicious backbreaker by Taurus, and Mack with a standing Macarena moonsault. For the finish, Swann struck Mack with a handspring cutter. Taurus broke the pin by stomping Swann. Swann attempted a rolling maneuver, but Taurus caught it and delivered the Rodeo driver to win.
Taurus defeated Willie Mack and Rich Swann. Taurus advances to the men’s final.
Lady Shani won an award for most fan likes/votes.
Lucha libre legend Fantasma was in the house to present the women’s Lucha Capital title belt. He is the president of the Boxing and Wrestling Commission in Mexico City.
Women’s Final: Keyra vs Big Mami vs Lady Shani
Faby Apache, Big Mami, and Lady Shani were the top women’s team and earned the right to compete in the final. Faby was not present, so Keyra slid into her spot. The bout began with Keyra and Shani double-teaming Mami. Mami was juking and jiving their attacks. She was in control until Shani dropkicked her in the head while showboating.
There was one rather confusing moment that turned out to be very important. Mami used a Gory Special to drive Keyra on top of a prone Shani.
devastating combo from Big Mami!!! #luchacapital pic.twitter.com/2TP5K91wJi
— Roy (@narukiroy) December 6, 2019
Mami sat on top of Shani for the pinfall, but referee Piero refused to count and knocked Mami off. I have no clue what the deal was. Piero is supposed to be the good guy ref in the company. He was showered with boos from the fans.
For the finish, Mami ate some dropkicks while sitting in the corner. Keyra disposed of Shani with a rolling double stomp to the stomach. Keyra attacked Mami with another dropkick of the running variety to win. The crowd shouted in support of Big Mami as Keyra celebrated. The new champ basked in their hatred.
Keyra defeated Big Mami and Lady Shani to become the 2019 women’s champ of Lucha Capital.
¡@keyra_indy CAMPEONA FEMENIL de #LuchaCapital!
— Lucha Libre AAA (@luchalibreaaa) December 5, 2019
EN VIVO Y EN EXCLUSIVAhttps://t.co/lT2sadtlJx pic.twitter.com/xrl0XPntWX
Men’s Final: Puma King vs Hijo del Vikingo vs Taurus
The high flying started early with a rope bouncing springboard cannonball from Hijo del Vikingo to the outside.
¡¡VIKINGOOOO!! @vikingo_aaa #luchacapital pic.twitter.com/J1Vx4t0Bse
— Roy (@narukiroy) December 6, 2019
Once the match settled down, Taurus used his power to control the bout. Vikingo and Puma King took down the bull with a backcracker and flying stomp. With Vikingo out of the ring, Puma hit his finishing sequence of a flying frontcracker, running double knees, and a sitdown powerbomb to Taurus. 1, 2, Vikingo broke the count. Puma connected on a super hurricanrana to Vikingo, but Vikingo kicked out on the pin. The fight raged on after Taurus took them both down with a double German suplex.
TAURUS STRONG! @Taurusoriginal #luchacapital pic.twitter.com/p4tIXRcUF9
— Roy (@narukiroy) December 6, 2019
In the end, Vikingo powered up for a reverse hurricanrana and a running Death Valley driver into the corner.
.@vikingo_aaa dumps Taurus into the corner! #luchacapital pic.twitter.com/HIDxpCbPxa
— Roy (@narukiroy) December 6, 2019
Vikingo then launched into the air for a 450 splash to win.
Hijo del Vikingo defeated Puma King and Taurus to become the 2019 men’s champ of Lucha Capital.
.@vikingo_aaa SE QUEDA CON EL TÍTULO DE #LuchaCapital
— Lucha Libre AAA (@luchalibreaaa) December 5, 2019
¡Muchas Felicidades! pic.twitter.com/M4LZnYz3uB
The second season of AAA’s Lucha Capital ended with a bang. It was probably the best episode of the season top to bottom as a whole. The men’s final was the top match if you only have time to consume one bout from the offering.
Hijo del Vikingo continues to rack up big wins for his career resume. He is a two-time and current Trios champ, winner of the 2019 Copa Antonio Peña, and now the 2019 Lucha Capital king. Vikingo deserves all the accolades. He is fire in the ring and heavily supported by the fans.
Keyra as the women’s winner is surprising. Not that she isn’t worthy, just that it was unexpected, especially since she had been eliminated last week. She also deserves the honor after having to vacate the Reina de Reinas Championship due to injury earlier this year.
The format for season two was switched up into trios teams and it worked out for the best. It minimized any shuffling of the lineup from injuries or travel issues, which was frequent in season one. In fact, I don’t think there were any switcheroos this season until the finale.
Which match was your favorite from the Lucha Capital finale? Which luchador impressed the most? Do you agree with the choice of winners?